hc6 ransomware - How to remove

hc6 ransomware virus is a PyInstaller-based infection that started threatening Internet surfers at the end of November. Python-based malware variants are not that rare: Striked and Fatboy infections were also written in this language. At first, security researchers had some problems while trying to decompile the main module of this crypto-malware.

However, the analysis was successful and thanks to excellent efforts from security researchers, this file-encoder is decryptable. You can download hc6Decrypter.exe from . Furthermore, we found some information, regarding a newer version called hc7 which appends .gotya extension. The hc6 crypto-malware adds .f*cku extension.

All the information known about this hc6 ransomware virus

This hc6 file-encoder leaves a recover_your_files.txt as the ransom note. Some victims indicated to find the payload of this infection (Called hc6.exe) at the C:\Windows location. From the analysis of the main malicious file, it was created in July of 2017. This means that the ransomware took a long time to be detected or to fully function. According to the further investigation of this virus, it was discovered that the files are encrypted with  and AES-256 CBC encryption .

Ransomware targets a variety of files. Take a look at some of the possible file types to be encrypted:

‘.txt’, ‘.exe’, ‘.php’, ‘.pl’, ‘.7z’, ‘.rar’, ‘.m4a’, ‘.wma’, ‘.avi’, ‘.wmv’, ‘.csv’, ‘.d3dbsp’, ‘.sc2save’, ‘.sie’, ‘.sum’, ‘.ibank’, ‘.t13’, ‘.t12’, ‘.qdf’, ‘.gdb’, ‘.tax’, ‘.pkpass’, ‘.bc6’, ‘.bc7’, ‘.bkp’, ‘.qic’, ‘.bkf’, ‘.sidn’, ‘.sidd’, ‘.mddata’, ‘.itl’, ‘.itdb’, ‘.icxs’, ‘.hvpl’, ‘.hplg’, ‘.hkdb’, ‘.mdbackup’, ‘.syncdb’, ‘.gho’, ‘.cas’, ‘.svg’, ‘.map’, ‘.wmo’, ‘.itm’, ‘.sb’, ‘.fos’.

In the text in recover_your_files.txt file, people receive very brief instructions. Hackers are insisting that victims would send $2500 dollars in form of Bitcoins. According to the current rates, this would equal 0.25360 BTC. Based on the statements from security researchers, the hc6 Ransomware operates with 14 Bitcoin addresses. After the transaction is done, victims are supposed to send an email to [email protected] address. Here is the list of Bitcoin wallets that these extortionists control:

“1B8yXW8mv2cXYHyXatTkVsek3BpNWdJqBk
1Mh1aVDXAF2ykzMgvwhWwmz7Gw8ttb2qzL
1DdLF32aXfjiURL6VWbsW3rWSuaLZUBfrN
1F4CuNNq58ghSp18e19eRGBqSeAdnbdS62
1ESfumREnY7dazgTtLysxHpLwEykNhGemG
1DuMyrXt64es6BenRSHy9LPubqEq9YR99m
1NYeBBMrHgPpbLC7ExXqCx7wzfpeUcADs6
1NYaVPJGEFzwCzYsvp5swNTDiU2so1BvKx
1FEsU4nL3WBG4YWmzR9BwKtdn9ALqobWJ3
1G7sCE1rSKZh4kif6a8hLU1fSn3sxg8Yp5
1B8G2L24xbn1sDbPurUNGMXwZWFgVXuYQv
1GHLUDpgBmZwVk4kAbNcJsYa3uvCBf6imC
1M4fMkihMBxS4sQQtfCTq5t2UjpdBEQMYe
1CR77rKXNkxGL13nZa1dFdYm2biqmqLjdf”.

A new version: hc7 crypto-malware?

On 30th of November, a concerned user reported that he/she has noticed some incidents of hc7 infection. It appends an extension of .gotya to encrypted data and the ransomware detectors do not recognize it as the hc6 virus. In the ransom message, the fee was demanded to be send in one of the bitcoin wallets that belong to hc6 variant (1NYeBBMrHgPpbLC7ExXqCx7wzfpeUcADs6). However, the ransom is higher: $5,000. Converted to bitcoins, it quals 0.50650 BTC.

Sadly, security researchers discovered that the new hc7 ransomware has been improved and the password is provided via a command line. This means that hackers have taken advantage of improperly protected RDP. Also, crooks mention a different email address in the ransom note: [email protected].

While hc6 ransomware is decryptable, hc7 virus is not

If you are a victim of hc6 crypto-malware, you can consider yourself lucky. The decryptor should help you restore all of the files, appended with “.f*cku” extension. However, the files that are marked with .gotya are not going to be saved by the file-recovery tool. The only possibility for victims of hc7 ransomware is that victims have uploaded valuable data in backup storages. Even if you do not have an alternative source of your files, we discourage you from paying the demanded ransoms.

Please try recovering data in different ways. More techniques are mentioned at the end of this article. This should be a good lesson for people to backup their data. Since ransomware infections are becoming a daily-thing, having an alternative source of your files is essential.

How do hc6 and hc7 ransomware viruses slither into operating systems?

There is a couple of techniques that ransomware viruses could be using. First of all, payloads could be transmitted via spam campaigns. Malicious files can even be found in social media networks. However, the hc7 file-encoder appears to be using poorly-protected RDP. This means that hackers receive remote control over your operating system.

How to recover hc6 ransomware encrypted files and remove the virus

Step 1. Restore system into last known good state using system restore

1. Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt:

for Windows 7 / Vista/ XP

• Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
• Press F8 key repeatedly until Advanced Boot Options window appears.
• Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

for Windows 8 / 10

• Press Power at Windows login screen. Then press and hold Shift key and click Restart.
• Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings and click Restart.
• When it loads, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list of Startup Settings.

 

2.Restore System files and settings.

• When Command Prompt mode loads, enter cd restore and press Enter.
• Then enter rstrui.exe and press Enter again.
• Click “Next” in the windows that appeared.
• Select one of the Restore Points that are available before hc6 ransomware has infiltrated to your system and then click “Next”.
• To start System restore click “Yes”.

 

Step 2. Complete removal of Hc7 ransomware

After restoring your system, it is recommended to scan your computer with an anti-malware program, like Spyhunter and remove all malicious files related to hc6 ransomware. You can check other tools here.  

Step 3. Restore hc6 ransomware affected files using Shadow Volume Copies

If you do not use System Restore option on your operating system, there is a chance to use shadow copy snapshots. They store copies of your files that point of time when the system restore snapshot was created. Usually Hc7 ransomware tries to delete all possible Shadow Volume Copies, so this methods may not work on all computers. However, it may fail to do so. Shadow Volume Copies are only available with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. There are two ways to retrieve your files via Shadow Volume Copy. You can do it using native Windows Previous Versions or via Shadow Explorer. a) Native Windows Previous Versions Right-click on an encrypted file and select Properties → Previous versions tab. Now you will see all available copies of that particular file and the time when it was stored in a Shadow Volume Copy. Choose the version of the file you want to retrieve and click Copy if you want to save it to some directory of your own, or Restore if you want to replace existing, encrypted file. If you want to see the content of file first, just click Open.

b) Shadow Explorer It is a program that can be found online for free. You can download either a full or a portable version of Shadow Explorer. Open the program. On the left top corner select the drive where the file you are looking for is a stored. You will see all folders on that drive. To retrieve a whole folder, right-click on it and select “Export”. Then choose where you want it to be stored.

Step 4. Use Data Recovery programs to recover hc6 ransomware encrypted files

There are several data recovery programs that might recover encrypted files as well. This does not work in all cases but you can try this:

• We suggest using another PC and connect the infected hard drive as slave. It is still possible to do this on infected PC though.
• Download a data recovery program.
• Install and scan for recently deleted files.

Note: In many cases it is impossible to restore data files affected by modern ransomware. Thus I recommend using decent cloud backup software as precaution. We recommend checking out Carbonite, BackBlaze, CrashPlan or Mozy Home.